Reviews

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland

joceyreads's review against another edition

3.0

I’m… surprised I didn’t love this book. On the surface, it’s perfect for me. Fantasy, interesting politics and a romance. But some part of me didn’t quite connect with it and how it played out. I’m still glad I read it.

siimonab's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

just delightful, surprisingly funny, loved it !!!

emilydaisies's review against another edition

5.0

WHEN I TELL YOU I SWOONED! Ahhh this was so cute and fun.

indiekay's review against another edition

5.0

This book was such a delight! I don't read a lot of political fantasy often, and I was a little worried when I started this one that it'd be a little too hard for me to follow, but after our secondary character is introduced I was immediately pulled into the story and adored it.

This book includes a prince was terrible anxiety and a very rigid bodyguard/vallet that slowly fall in love. There's also so many lovely side characters, and some pretty interesting world building around money and magic, and a lot of side characters using neopronouns.

When I finished this all I wanted to do was read something else that was just like it.

(also the author has a 10K fanfic on Ao3 that was a gorgeous addition to the story)

krichardson's review against another edition

4.0

This was a really good romance book, not so good as a political intrigue book, but that's ok. I can forgive a few plot holes for all the feelings. I loved Kadou so much too. That ending is going to haunt me a little bit though, I hope there will be a sequel!

tylerclarkmclendon's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

soulmate's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 

I’m yours. My hands, my heart, my breath—yours. Every part of me. That’s everything, that’s all of it. I want you to have it; take it.”

*SCREAMMNNING*

.

..

...

*MORE SCREAMING*

Fealty is hot, Fealty is in, i want some Fealty. Fealty it's gonna be.

Did u ever want someone so devoted to u, that u are their sun & moon, the center of their sky, their north star?

Me neither 🤥

But good god does Rowland deliver.

Kadou is a prince in the kingdom of Araşt (inspired by the ottoman empire), his sister Zeliha - the sultan. And thanks god for that, bc Kadou can't imagine sitting on the throne himself. Suffering from anxiety and panic attacks (something that's not 'a thing' in their world) Kadou sees himself as nothing more than a coward, unfit to rule.

A unfortunate misunderstanding puts him and his most loyal man (Tadek my babygirl) into quite the pickle, compelling the Sultan to assign Evemer, a serious and dutiful man, to Kadous guard.

Evemer doesn't think much of Kadou, other than him being careless, flighty and negligent, and Kadou knows. Their 'something' doesn't start on the right foot, but investigating a strange break-in, getting confronted by nasty acquaintances, some near deaths and panic attacks brings the duo VERY close to each other.

AND SHIT IT GETS SO 😫😫

Their dynamic changes to one of absolute loyalty, respect and fealty. Most importantly MUTUAL ones at that! Kadou my ethical king believes that true fealty lies in the reciprocity of their actions and words (even if he himself doesn't feel worthy to receive it). And Evemer, initally not seeing Kadou as someone worth following, finds in him the person he always wanted to follow, till the end of his days.

rheagoveas's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

shellan's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

annineamundsen's review against another edition

5.0

I'm just a lovesick fool and I'm not the only one. Like the plot and politics were interesting but the fucking romance dudes!!!! the yearning....the pining....the devotion....

Also, GIVE ME A SEQUEL!!!